Federer loses to Gulbis in French Open's 4th round

PARIS — Everything appeared to be under control for Roger Federer, just like in the old days at Grand Slam tournaments.

And then, suddenly, it wasn't.

One point from a two-set lead Sunday in the French Open's fourth round against 18th-seeded Ernests Gulbis of Latvia, Federer settled under a floating ball and prepared for what should have been a simple putaway.

Except, suddenly, it wasn't.

Federer sent a meek overhead toward Gulbis, who took advantage of the gaffe, ripping a backhand winner.

That was part of a four-point run that let Gulbis break serve and get back into the match, which he wound up winning 6-7 (5), 7-6 (3), 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to end Federer's streak of nine consecutive quarterfinals at Roland Garros.

“A lot of regrets,” said Federer, who has won 17 Grand Slam championships. “I just couldn't kind of figure it out.”

It also served as the latest reminder that Federer, now 32 and a father of four, is no longer the almost infallible force who made it to the closing days of major after major.